On February 8, 2025, Confucius Institute at the University of Guadalajara hosted a vibrant Spring Festival celebration themed the Year of the Snake, drawing over 300 attendees, including local community members, overseas Chinese, and faculty and students from the Institute.

The event kicked off with a lively lion dance performance, setting a festive tone for the evening. Wei Shuhua, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, and Bello Ramirez Edwin Alfredo, the Local Director, respectively delivered speeches highlighting the institute’s achievements in Chinese language education and cultural exchanges over the past year. They also outlined future goals and extended New Year greetings to all attendees.

The cultural performances were full of excitement, featuring traditional Chinese dances, Chinese Opera (Xi Qu), and musical instrument performed by the Institute’s teachers and students, which earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. In addition, a dedicated cultural experience section attracted many participants to try on Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), create paper-cutting artworks, and engage in other hands-on activities, deepening their appreciation for Chinese traditions.

The event also marked a leadership transition: Wei Shuhua, the current Chinese Director of CI, introduced her successor, Ms Cheng Jingui, the future Chinese Director. Attendees, including teachers and students expressed gratitude for Wei’s two-year dedication in work, during which she spearheaded remarkable achievement in language teaching and culture outreach.

The celebration concluded with a collective greetings of “Happy New Year” and group photos, capturing the joyous occasion. As the Year of the Snake symbolizes auspiciousness, the Confucius Institute reaffirmed its commitment to fostering China-Mexico cultural ties, telling Chinese stories and sharing the richness of Chinese culture.